Women's March Chicago Stays on Message - Get to the Polls

Last year's Women’s March came on the heels of President Trump's inauguration,
attracting protesters who disagreed with his statements and actions on the
campaign trail. It was also flooded with Hillary Clinton supporters, discouraged
that they wouldn't see the first female U.S. president. Marches took place
across the country and the world, and reports said it ended up being largest
single day protest in U.S. history.

This year, marches had a specific focus: getting more women to vote and run for
office. The theme, "Power to the Polls," was clear in speeches and signs Saturday
in downtown Chicago. Organizers says 300,000 people attended the March, but
Chicago Police didn't give an estimate on crowd size.

As marchers flooded Grant Park, public officials, activists, and organizers took
to the stage to drive home the message. Cook County Commissioner Bridget
Gainer's organization Cause the Effect Chicago pushes more women into the
political process-training them on how to run for office, and organize
fundraising campaigns. Gainer says just having more women on the ballot can make
a difference.

Out in the streets, as the March made its way to Federal Plaza, participants
like Audrey Davis made their mission clear on the signs they carried. Davis is
Chair of the Illinois Coalition of African American Women Progressives. Right
now she's focused on getting answers from candidates for Illinois Governor.

Davis said she's sent surveys to the candidates, and wants "specifics about what would
they do should they be elected to solve the crisis of crime, unemployment,
education, police brutality." Davis said she's still deciding on who she will
back in the race.

Like last year's March, there was a strong presence of Trump detractors, some
who felt personally affected by the President's actions. Evanston 8th grader Ava
Daye was there with a group called Dance Demonstrators. They travel to protests
and perform choreographed dances. Daye said her dad is from Haiti, and the
allegation that Trump disparaged her Dad's home country left her dejected and
frustrated.

There were other anti-Trump signs but the day had a general tone of hopefulness,
and calls for action at the polls. That's something Rev. Bryant Jones, Sr.
emphasizes to his congregation at Samaritan Bible Baptist Church.

Jones said he
tells them: "If you don’t vote, don’t come back. That’s just how important it
is."